Grolman (Neuss, Germany; www.grolman-group.com) recently assumed responsibility for the distribution of pigments produced by Oxerra Europe (Ninove, Belgium; www.oxerra.com) in large parts of Europe. The markets in question include the DACH region and the Iberian Peninsula, besides France and Eastern Europe. This means the two companies are extending the distribution agreement previously existing between Venator and Grolman for these materials in the DACH countries and Eastern Europe. Whether the new agreement is also of an exclusive nature was not established following an inquiry by Plasteurope.com.

At the same time, Grolman closed a gap in the Central European regional portfolio with Belgian company Radiant Color (Houthalen; www.radiantcolor.com) – the daylight fluorescent pigments from the Belgian firm will now also be marketed in Hungary, in addition to numerous other Central and Eastern European markets.  

Oxerra formerly operated under the name Cathay Industries. The company renamed itself following completion of the acquisition of the iron oxide activities from Venator (Stockton-on-Tees, UK; www.venatorcorp.com). 

It was only recently that the pigment specialist announced that it wanted to build a plant for complex inorganic colour pigments in China, as well as a corresponding research centre. The production facility will, according to information provided by CEO Terence Yu, support the sister plant in Kidsgrove in the UK.